Another extreme example would be Hood's attempted investment of Nashville in December, 1864. From what I understand it was unusually cold and then it rained ice.

For those of us accustomed to just going back into the house and kicking up the thermostat, it is a bit difficult to imagine that all of these guys lived outside all the time. (With the exception of some officers who could avail themselves of civilian "hospitality.")

Your question might help explain the reenactor who insists on feeling the pain. That is, if you haven't slept on the ground, on a rubber sheet, with one blanket, during a freezing rain, you haven't sampled the experience of the CW soldier.